Allstate Signs Weber Shandwick; Agency To Execute Company's Corporate Positioning Initiatives.

Business Editors

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2004

Allstate Insurance Company announced today that, following an extensive RFP review, it has retained Weber Shandwick for a corporate positioning assignment. For the past few years, Allstate has been working toward transforming the company into a personal financial services provider. That transformation calls for getting better and bigger in its protection business and broader in financial services.

"Allstate has generated significant momentum toward transforming the company and the addition of Weber Shandwick is intended to help continue that momentum through its public relations expertise," said Peter Debreceny, Allstate vice president for corporate relations.

Weber Shandwick will work with Allstate to develop and implement various corporate positioning initiatives and programs throughout a three-year term.

"Weber Shandwick's strategic recommendations, creative approach and strategies for enterprise integration won them the Allstate corporate positioning assignments," continued Debreceny. "By enabling the Weber Shandwick team to focus on this segment of the business, we believe we will be better able to accelerate the implementation of a comprehensive corporate positioning effort."

"We're exceptionally pleased and proud to have been selected by Allstate," said Daniel J. Reid, executive vice president and general manager, financial services, at Weber Shandwick. "Allstate is a company on the move, and we look forward to furthering the company's business and marketing objectives."

Reid says the Allstate account will be based in the agency's Chicago office, with a team comprised of individuals from its corporate, financial services, consumer marketing, issues management and other areas of expertise.

The addition of Weber Shandwick will allow Allstate to transition from the traditional agency of record model to a multi-agency approach. In addition to Weber Shandwick, Hill and Knowlton, who has been working with Allstate for the last four years as agency of record, will provide public relations support for specific projects outside the corporate positioning area. "We are very pleased about the opportunity to continue what has been a very productive four-year relationship with Allstate," said Harlan Teller, president of Hill and Knowlton's worldwide corporate practice and chief client officer.

As part of its normal procurement governance process, Allstate conducts formal, open reviews in a competitive environment of supplier and vendor arrangements. Additional details about the selection and negotiation process were not disclosed.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate provides insurance products to more than 16 million households and has approximately 12,300 exclusive agents and financial specialists in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services through Allstate agents, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate(R). Encompass(SM) and Deerbrook(R) Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group includes the businesses that provide life and supplemental insurance, retirement, banking and investment products through distribution channels that include Allstate agents, independent agents, financial institutions and broker-dealers.

Weber Shandwick, a unit of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG), is one of the world's leading public relations agencies, with offices in major media, business and government capitals around the world. Weber Shandwick is a leader in marketing public relations, public affairs and corporate communications counseling, and also provides services in advocacy advertising, market research and visual communications. Find out more at www.webershandwick.com. The Interpublic Group of Companies is among the world's largest advertising and marketing services organizations.

Hill & Knowlton, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is based in New York, with 69 offices in 37 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP Group plc (NASDAQ:WPPGY), one of the world's largest communications services groups.